Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-25

liberty to exercise his own Judgment in
regard to the course TO pursue. OF one
thing he can be certain, that the Prohibi-
tionists, who were the originators of the
movement, had politics in view when they
started it, and it is an assured fact
that if the amendment is car
RED the Prohibitionists will have
a complete state ticket in the
field from Governor down, including leg
islators to enact laws to carry out the
provisions of the amendment. Tbs they
Will do, and it will only be the first step
forward in reversing the formation of our
government-insteadO of the people gov
erning the government, the government
will undertake to govern the people.
Prohibition is strictly 8 party in opposi
ton to Democracy, and knowing this
every Democrat who believes in the prin-
ciples taught by Thorn Jefferson should
oppose the amendment and tight the Pro
hibitiOnists TO the bitter end.
We are not only opposed to the amend
ment because it is undemocratic and
contrary to the genius OF our institu-
lions, but we are opposed TO interfering
with personal rights of others. 1t is not
only wrong, but there is neither sense
nor Justice in deprlving ninety nine citi-
zens of their personal liberty because the
hundredth man can not control his ap-
petite. Must they be treated as weak
and helpless children because the one
man is weak and unable to control him
self The question is not one of morality,it
is question Of personal liberty on the
one hand or of abjeCt slavery on the other.
The history of mankind shows that all
attempts to enforce moral formalities by
To-
laws, or produced worse consequences
upon the character of the people than the
abolition of the laws could possibly have
done. Needless severity invariably pro-
duces a reaction. So it will be with pro-
hibition. The people will not submit to
it. Their sense of the injustice being
them disposed to look upon all laws of
that character as unwise and despotic, to
break or eVade which will be a COM
mended deed Bellville Times.
Every day shows the wis dom OF admit
ting here are two sides to the prohibi-
conscientlously be aligned on .either side;
and other good men in doubt as to the
best course to pursue, and demand time
campaign has perceptiOIy cooled in the
last few days, and moderation seems to
be the order of the day This will be
much for the best in the end, for prohibit
ton would amount to nothing unless it is
backed by healthy and earnest public
sentiment, and anti-pronibition, if not
the honest will of the majority, would be
savagely attacked by the ProhIbitionists
ct the first opportunity, and the whole
thing have to be gone over again
Jacksonville Intelllgencer.
Senator Coke refuses to take the stump
against prohibition, not that he has
changed his opinions in the slightest de-
gree, but he could not participate in the
canvass without giving it political char
aCter and complexion. The accredited
representatives. of the Democracy met at
Galveston in August last, and without a
dissenting vote adopted a platform which
in the twelfth plank declares the prOhibi-
ton QUESTION sOutside of, irrelevant to,
and utterly unConneCted with party poll
tics. Thousands of good and true Demo
Gratis, under this decision, have chosen to
fall into line under the prohibition ban
ner. The only possible effect, then, OF
party contest would be the disruption Of
the Democratic party; and, as Coke be-
lieves Democratic supremacy in this state
of vital and paramount Importance to the
people of Texas and to the national Dem
ocratic party, he will, while voting &C
COrding to his convictions, do nothing
which might possibly cause split IN the
party Flatonia Argus.
A gentleman in conversation with
Fort Worth GAZETTE reporter gives as
one of the reasons why he opposes the
amendment that ''if prohibition is aided
to boom by Democrats, then Democrats
need not blame any one but themselves
if they see Republican in Cleveland
place next year" 1t seems to Us that
this is the veriest bOsh. 1t is universally
conceded by Republicans everywhere
and for that matter great many Demo
Gratis also, that the Prohibition
party elected Cleveland. As we
understand it the Prohibition party
WAS formed because a class of
people who wanted legislation on the
evils of whisky selling and drinking
could get no satisfaction from either of
the opposing parties, and so they organ
lied party of their own. Now that a
Democratic convention has said that this
is not patty question, is it not to be
supposed that great many men who
have voted the prohibition ticket instead
of the Democratic ticket because they
regarded their obligations TO the side
of morality as greater than that
to party, will now vote the regu-
lar Democratic ticket? Consequently
the party will be strengthened in
stead of weakened. There would
never have been a prohibition party if
either of the leading parties had given
the members of those parties who we're
in favor of prohibition a hearing. TIE
fact IS the prohibition question is either
or neither Democratic or Republican, for
the very same arguments are used in
those states where the Republican party
is greatly in the majority, that are used in
this state Another truth is, that both
parties have been afraid to tackle the
great whisky influence Forney Re
gister.
h,a In